Page 55 of The Quarterback
What could Nick do, other than smile back?
“If your shoulder gets tired, put the sling on. Sleep in your sling, too. Keep it protected when you’re not engaged in stretching or strengthening.”
Colton nearly vibrated out of the office, and he didn’t even want to stop for a late lunch before heading back to the condo and grabbing his football. He pulled Nick with him to Zilker Park, palming the football and shooting big, sidelong smiles Nick’s way.
They started slowly, with gentle, underhand tosses back and forth, soft pitches from no more than three feet apart. After the first toss, Colton’s eyes went wide, and he ran his hand up and over his shoulder for a moment before Nick threw the ball back.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah. It just… feels different.”
They tossed the ball for half an hour, but even the gentle back and forth wore Colton’s shoulder out. He took his shirt off to mop the sweat from his forehead, but it still poured down his face. Finally, they took a break and sat on the lawn, Colton slightly hunched and sheltering his right arm. Nick laid a tentative hand on his shoulder, gently rubbing his quivering back muscles.
“Is this okay?”
“Are you kidding? Please don’t stop.” Colton groaned as Nick knelt behind him and dug his thumbs into the seizing line of muscle where Colton’s spine met his trapezius, up to his shoulder joint, and then over to his delicate collarbone. The scar from his surgery was a jagged, milky edge, the skin healed but still marked.
He massaged Colton’s back until his knees went numb against the lawn, until his wrists were aching, his fingers trembling. Colton was limp and moaning in front of him, swaying with every push and knead and pull.
“There.” Nick sat back on his heels. He left one hand draped on Colton’s shoulder.
Colton tipped his head back and smiled upside down. “Thank you,” he whispered. “That was amazing.”
“The massage?”
“That, yeah. Tossing the ball, too. When I’m better, I can’t wait to really throw with you. Like we used to do when we’d throw to each other between the stands and the field?”
He nodded. Almost every time he showed up to practice with Justin last season, Colton sent the ball his way.
Justin. His heart squeezed.
He focused on Colton, on the man right in front of him and the simple joy rippling across his young face. He wanted to lean down and press his lips to Colton’s. Kiss him until Colton tipped all the way back and he laid his head in Nick’s lap. He wanted to run his fingers through Colton’s sweaty hair and let the sun pass overhead, let the afternoon swallow them whole.
Take it easy. Colton has a future, and its shape is in your hands.
Don’t push. Don’t step too far. Don’t make an unforgivable mistake, something that can’t be taken back. Something Colton will have to live with, long after you’re gone.
NFL players don’t have older men as lovers.
* * *
Making dinner together was different,now that they were, well, together. And now that Colton had two hands instead of one.
On the walk home they picked up steaks to grill, and Colton put together a Caesar salad as Nick peppered rib eyes and carted them to the balcony. Colton went back and forth with plates and forks and two wineglasses, then grabbed one of the bottles from their winery, setting the little patio table where they’d eaten together almost every night.
Two arms wound around Nick’s waist as he flipped the steaks. Colton’s chin landed on his shoulder. “Smells great.” Colton’s lips nipped along his neck and up to his jaw before sucking on his earlobe.
He captured those lips with his. It was supposed to be a chaste kiss, sweet, but it turned hungry when Colton moaned and squeezed Nick’s hips.
“Careful.” Nick pulled away. He didn’t want to. “The steaks are going to be charcoal if you keep distracting me.”
“There’s always DoorDash.” Colton buried his face in the back of Nick’s neck, mouthing over his hairline as his hands wandered beneath Nick’s T-shirt.
Nick laughed, and for a moment, he considered it. Turning off the grill. Taking Colton’s hand and guiding him back to bed, where they could figure out a few more things together. Maybe he should watch some gay porn, too. Get some ideas for what to do with his young lover.
Would he be able to keep up with Colton? He certainly wanted to. Colton was inspiring. Nick had already fought off the start of a few inconvenient erections, in the car and at the park and walking home.
“I want to take my time with you tonight,” he finally said, leaning into Colton’s arms as he rested his head on Colton’s shoulder.
